How To Carry Your Tent While Backpacking (5 Simple Ways)

It seems logical that travelers frequently inquire about the “best way to carry Your tent while backpacking .”  This is because a tent is one of the heavy items carried for outdoor activities.

I began with an inexpensive one-person tent during my early camping days. My first backpack was not particularly large, nor was it particularly light. It makes perfect sense to question how to pack a tent for traveling with this setup.

My camping gear has become lighter over the years, so I have no trouble fitting a tent inside my backpack. I strongly advise diving down the lightweight backpacking route.

In this post, I’ll outline all your solutions for carrying your tent while you pack your backpack. I’ll also review how to pick the best approach based on your gear.

How do you attach a tent to your backpack?

Follow these simple tips to carry a tent while backpacking without any trouble:

Carrying A Tent Inside Your Backpack

The best place to attach a tent is inside your backpack, right up against the back panel. Take into account these tips for carrying a tent inside your backpack:

• Roll your tent before stuffing it into its stuff sack to keep things organized and other gear clean. If it fits better, you can pack the poles separately and stuff the clothing loosely into the bottom of your pack. 

• Fold or stuff the tent to minimize waste of available space – It is effective for smaller packs. You should ensure that delicate items, like poles, are safeguarded in an internal frame backpack.

• Store it near your back because carrying heavy objects closer to your center of gravity feels more comfortable. Packing the tent far from your back will cause additional strain on your shoulders and core muscles.

• Pack the tent vertically for a good fitting, as most backpacks are tall, and tent poles can be awkwardly long. However, if the tent is heavy, you should either load it in the center of your back or balance it with anything similarly heavy on the other side. 

• Place the tent at the base of your backpack: Remember: You should place items you might search for during the day on top of the ones you won’t need until camp (like your tent).

Remember to use a backpack with an internal frame because it has more space making backpacking easier.

Benefits of carrying your tent inside your backpack include:

• More equitable weight distribution.
• It prevents the tent from tearing.
• There is little chance of the tent falling apart.

Disadvantages of carrying your tent in your backpack include:

• For a wet tent, your other items may become damp and soiled.
• The tent occupies more space.

Read Also: How To Fix A Backpack Zipper

Carrying A Tent On Your backpack

Some people attach their tent outside their bag instead of inside. This approach is used if;

• Your tent is dirty or wet.
• You are using a smaller backpack.
• You have packed the heaviest items. 

Take into account these tips for carrying a tent outside your backpack:

• The ideal method to carry a tent outside your backpack is to strap it to the bottom of the pack. For precisely this function, the bottom of some backpacks is equipped with straps for this function.

• If your pack lacks straps on the bottom, fasten the tent to the top. Secure the rolled tent under your pack’s “lid” or compression strap if it has one. Lighter tents work best for this; heavier ones may affect your equilibrium.

• Avoid attaching your tent to the part of your backpack that is furthest from your body. When placed there, it feels heavier and uncomfortable.

• Use a waterproof stuff sack to keep your tent dry to avoid dampness in the backpack. 

Remember to use a backpack with an external frame for the best results.

Benefits of carrying a tent outside your backpack include:

• It saves room.
• This enables you to backpack with a smaller pack.
• The tent is easily accessed. 
• If your tent must be packed wet, it will not dampen your backpack.

The disadvantages of carrying a tent outside your pack are:

• Damage if not properly packed.
• Poor weight distribution if the tent is on the top.
• In the event of rain, it must be kept dry.
• Fabric may degrade fabric more quickly on exposure to the sun.

Related: How to Organize a Backpack for Travel

Split Up the tent

No rules prohibit you from splitting your tent into pieces and packing them in different locations. Perhaps it’s too large for a spot. 

For instance, you could stuff the clean and dry inner portion inside your pack while strapping the rain fly and poles to the outside top.

Poles in a waterproof bag can also be slid vertically into a side pocket (ensuring they don’t fall out!) where a full tent would never fit.

Rolling Up The Tent

To pack a tent in its stuff sack, you should carefully roll it.

• First, dry the tent before packing it. Consider positioning the tent in the sun to accelerate the drying process.
• If there is moisture inside, pack your belongings and turn the tent inside, shake it vigorously, and spread it out to dry in the sun. 
• Place the tent down flat. If you have a double-wall tent with multiple pieces, stack them together.
• Fold both tent edges in thirds to make a long fabric strip the same length as the folded tent poles.
• Start rolling the folded tent around the poles from one end. Roll it tightly to keep it neat, and brush off large chunks of dirt and leaves as you go.
• Place the tent inside its stuff sack or a tent bag. You’ll save time and effort in this step if you roll carefully and tightly beforehand.

Consider carrying a light Tent.

A new tent is one of the most expensive items in your gear collection. When you’re just getting started, it’s best to go backpacking with whatever tent you have or can borrow.

If you become accustomed to backpacking, consider using a light tent.

Related: How to Clean a Herschel Backpack: 5 Quick Steps

Final thoughts

That’s all about the best ways to carry a tent for backpacking. I hope this guide prepares you for your next backpacking trip.